1995 240sx timing belt gone? non-interference engine?

[jav100]

Hi,

I have a 1996 240sx, KA engine. Recently my car would not start. My friends all say the car has no compression, and sounds like the timing belt is gone. They want to know if this engine is an interference engine, or non-interference engine. They say the different is that I might have internal engine damage.

So, is this engine a interference engine? The car tries to start, but never turns on.

Thanks,John(praying it nothing big)

[s13sr20chris]

yes it is an interference engine but it does not have a belt. it has a chain. take off oil cap and watch the stuff inside the engine. have someone crank it over and see if there is stuff moving. if stuff is moving then the chain is not broke.

[navysnail]

timing belts, while not common, do break if not replaced on schedule. chains on the otherhand, rarely break and will usually last the lifetime of the car. you might want to check to make sure it is getting fuel and spark

[jav100]

How much should a repair cost?

I am guessing if there is internal engine damage done as well, they I might as well drop in a SR20 no?

[navysnail]

depends on what you have money for. an sr swap will cost a few thousand, were as fixing the ka will probobly be anywere from $30 to $150 or more depending on the problem

[jav100]

so then you guys think it not the timing chain then? maybe a loose spark plug?

believe it or not once I was riding on the highway and a spark plug came out of the socket, and violenty popped in and out while i was driving, by the time i pulled over, it almost made a hole in my hood (it left a nice dent in a otherwise dam nice hood ) ...

what would cause the car not to get fuel/spark?

thanks for all your help!

[mackdaddy240]

lol, well its not a loose spark plug, take it to a mechanic, if you dont know how to check if it has fuel or spark, then try push starting it, if that doesnt work, tow it to a shop, they wont charge you that much to tell you the problem, if somehow the chain broke or jumped really bad and bent your valves, and if you have $4,000 pay somebody to put a SR20 in, I wouldnt try and swap it yourself unless you or a friend is pretty good with cars because your not going to be able to install it based off of what a superstreet magazine says.......... that mag is trying really hard to get honda tuners to switch to 240s if you havent noticed lately.